Homeowners could lower their water bills by about 10% by addressing easily repairable water leaks, according to the EPA. However, plumbing issues sometimes occur after normal business hours, and you’re not sure what to do. Should you call for help, can you fix it yourself, or can it wait? There are times when it’s imperative to pick up the phone and call an emergency plumber, and there are times when you should wait. They recommend following these five general guidelines to help you make the proper determination.

1. If Flooding Is a Risk.

Burst pipes, a malfunctioning sump pump, a backed-up sewer, or a faulty water shut-off valve all have the potential to cause flooding and substantial water damage. For this reason, these situations need to be resolved quickly by a 24 hour plumber.

2. When a Sewer Line Backs Up.

When sewer lines become backed up, sewage remains stagnant in the area of the backup and poses a hazard to health as well as a flood risk. In this case, the services of a plumber are required promptly.

3. If You Have No Running Water.

A lack of access to running water is also a health concern because it affects your ability to clean and cook properly. It’s wise to contact a plumber after hours in this case.

4. If Your Pipes are Frozen.

Pipes that are frozen are a cause for concern for two reasons: the potential for flooding and lack of water. When a pipe freezes, water can’t run through it freely. As the pipe expands, the pipe can crack or burst, possibly causing flooding. If you haven’t already done so, the next time your plumber performs a preventive maintenance check, be sure to ask where your water shut-off valves are and how to use them properly.

5. If the Problem Isn’t Urgent.

Calling an emergency plumber can be extremely costly. If you’re able to wait to address the problem, then it doesn’t constitute an emergency, and it would be wise to consider waiting for regular office hours and engaging more affordable plumbing services.

Also bear in mind that even if you call a plumber to come on an emergency basis, they may not have access to their supply houses to get the parts they require to finish the work. If you don’t have an emergency situation, it’s a good idea to wait until normal business hours. By doing this, you can be assured that the plumber can obtain the parts needed for the job on the same day, with the exception of specialty parts that must be ordered.

There are certainly instances when a call to an emergency plumber is warranted, such as possible flooding, backed up sewer lines, or a lack of running water. However, to avoid a costly repair that could have been handled more affordably on a non-emergency basis, follow these guidelines to properly assess the situation.

If you’re a business owner, you probably wear several different hats. In addition to all of your regular duties, you might also take on the role of janitor, technician, salesperson, customer service representative, and so much more. The problem is that when you’re required to perform these responsibilities, your operations may suffer — and the results might not be as effective as you’d hope.

Realistically, you shouldn’t have to be your own commercial plumbing expert. You might think it’s a way to obtain more affordable plumbing services, but remember that you’ll get what you pay for. In the end, failing to hire a professional right away to fix common plumbing issues will end up costing you much more in terms of monthly bills and extensive repairs. If you know you’re dealing with any of the following issues, do yourself a favor and invest in professional plumbing services to keep costs down and health, safely, and morale up.

Frequent Leaks

You might not think that a leaky faucet or toilet is that big a deal, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water every year due to little leaks like this. That translates to a lot of monetary loss, particularly as leaks get worse over time and go undetected. If you already know you’ve got a problematic faucet or two, contact a professional for leak repair. You might be surprised by the difference it makes in your monthly bills. And if you’ve noticed your water bills are steadily increasing but you don’t believe your usage has gone up, you’ll want to call for commercial plumbing services sooner rather than later. An expert should be able to detect the source of a leak so that you can stop leaking money every month.

Clogged Drains

A clogged drain or toilet is an unpleasant surprise for both employees and clients. Having to use an “out of order” sign is embarrassing and won’t help your brand. Plus, it’s certainly a real inconvenience (especially if it happens a lot). What’s worse, it can actually be a health hazard if bacteria accumulates within the clogged drain. Not only can this make people sick, but it can also degrade the pipes over time and lead to more extensive repairs. If you’ve got a drain that just won’t stay unclogged, don’t keep reaching for the grocery store product; it won’t be a substitute for commercial plumbing services. Usually, your plumber will be able to fix the problem and provide some advice to ensure the problem won’t keep occurring.

Heater Failures

Many commercial establishments rely on hot water supply to provide their products and services. It may also be a legal necessity, in terms of meeting specific codes and regulations. Of course, heavy reliance on hot water heaters means they may be more prone to failure. This can present a huge disruption for your operations and could even cause you to lose customers. It’s essential that you take care of water heater repair right away for this reason. You may also want to look into alternative installations if your current setup doesn’t provide the consistency and quality your business needs.

If you don’t attend to these problems right away, the truth is that they can cost you a lot in both the short and the long term. Investing in the necessities for your business can allow your organization to thrive, but if you accept these problems as normal, they may end up holding you back. For more information on how our commercial plumbing services can help take your business to the next level, contact us today.

The holiday season is a notoriously busy time for professional plumbing services. Thanksgiving has recently passed and Christmas is around the corner. Homes have been and will continue to be filled with people and mirth. Toilets and sinks will also continue to be filled and they’ll be filled a whole lot more often than they’re used to.

While we’re entertaining in our homes, we’re probably not thinking of emergency plumbers and the toll our own plumbing systems are taking. The plumbing industry is thinking of this, which is why the busiest day in the industry is the day after Thanksgiving. The shopping frenzy we know as Black Friday, the plumbing world knows as Brown Friday.

“A lot of that is brought on by excessive use of the house. Folks have guests over, they are doing a bunch of cooking, the toilets are getting flushed a hundred times a day, instead of three. The sink is getting run constantly, the garbage disposal. We’re cooking a bunch and shoving stuff down drains that typically don’t go down drains,” said Jack Hope, an owner at Hope Plumbing in Indiana.

Sure, your plumbing systems are resilient, but anything used in excess for jobs it isn’t used to will see some wear. It’s never usually so bad that it can’t wait until after the holiday, but occasionally the odd 24 hour plumber will need to be called to the scene of something more urgent.

Some plumbing advice that will keep your household from needing such immediate post-holiday services: if it isn’t human waste or toilet paper, don’t flush it down the toilet and when using the sink for extended periods of time while cooking and cleaning, use a sink strainer to keep larger pieces of debris from clogging the drain.

Of course, there will always be emergency fringe cases. Before the Christmas holiday hits, have your plumbing looked at and you may be able to avoid a Christmas time Brown Holiday repeat.

Every year, leaky faucets dripping one drop per second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water. Whether you have that problem, a comparable Brown Friday issue, or simply need someone to look at your pipes, we’ve got you covered. Water leak repair, drain cleaning, emergency plumbers, or Heating & A/C, City Plumbing is there for you.

There is perhaps nothing more inconvenient than needing a water heater repair or commercial plumbing help in the dead of winter. From no-heat calls to frozen pipes, emergency plumbing problems are especially inconvenient in the winter. We rely on our plumbing systems for nearly all of our day-to-day activities at home, but those pipes run the risk of bursting, becoming clogged, or freezing when temperatures drop even slightly below freezing. If your family uses more than 12,000 gallons of water in the winter months, the odds are that your home already has serious leaks.To avoid emergency plumbing problems, here are three of the most common plumbing issues that can arise in your home this winter — and the proactive steps you can take to prevent them. Basement FloodingYou may think of flooding as a problem only in the wet summer months, but if the drainage areas (such as gutters) around your home become clogged or blocked with leaves, ice, or debris, it can cause any precipitation to flood your basement. Calling a drain cleaning service that specializes in winter clearing can help prevent flooding this winter and in the future. Burst Septic TankExperts agree that if you use a septic system, you should have it pumped in the late summer or fall, especially if you live in a cool weather climate. Burst pipes are especially difficult to get to when the ground is frozen or covered with snow. In that instance, it’s helpful to have contact with a 24-hour plumber that can perform emergency repairs even in inclement weather. Frozen PipesOne of the most common plumbing issues that occur in the winter is frozen pipes. When you combine increased water pressure with external temperatures dropping, even new pipes can freeze and break. If you notice restricted water flow during the winter, a frozen pipe is likely the culprit. Keeping your home warmed to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit can prevent interior pipes from freezing, but unfortunately, an already burst or leaking pipe can be costly to repair. Find the contact information for an affordable plumbing service before the temperatures drop to protect yourself. And, if the need arises, contact a 24-hour plumber for emergencies caused by leaking or frozen pipes. The winter months can be especially hard on your plumbing system, but with proper maintenance and planning, you can keep your pipes working efficiently all season long. When in doubt, contact City Plumbing for any emergency plumbing repairs, serious leaks, diagnosis, and damages. Give us a call and we’ll come running!

In the United States of America, every home should have a trap on their drains. The trap is one of the most important parts of your home plumbing system. It’s also one of the most often forgotten when DIY plumbers try to replace pipes without understanding what the trap does.

Where does the trap come from

In 1775 a British inventor by the name of Alexander Cummings invented the first modern plumbing trap. His trap featured an S-shaped bend in the pipes that was later updated the U-shape by Thomas Cooper in 1880. Cooper was in London at the time and the river Thames was being used as a sewer. Because the smell was disturbing the members of the Houses of Parliment London soon adopted a closed sewage system and drain traps became incredibly popular.

But, what does the trap do

The trap in your plumbing system exists for one reason. To make your house smell better. It’s surprisingly simple. The bend in the pipe literally traps water in your pipes and prevent your home from backfilling with sewer gases. The more common trap you can find these days is the P-trap. As opposed to the original S-trap, the P-trap makes drain cleaning a lot easier and helps your drains work more efficiently. The P-trap features a curved pipe connected to a straight pipe, which leads into your drainage stack. The original S-trap had the water follow an S shape in the pipes which would cause a significant build-up of materials and make drain cleaning difficult.

Commercial plumbing services will work with the plumbing system installed in your home. And whether they are offering leak repair or drain cleaning, they will inform you if your home is missing this vital component. Actually, on average 10% of homes in the US have leaky plumbing systems which waste more than 90 gallons of water per day. If you have a leaking pipe calling a professional is important. When you DIY something as important as plumbing you can miss things, like the sink trap, which will ultimately end up costing you more in the long run. Not having a trap in your home isn’t a call for an emergency plumber, but it is something you want to take care of as soon as possible. Drain traps improve your home air quality and the effectiveness of your drain system.

The best part of plumbing services is employing them preemptively so you don’t need to call an emergency plumber. Fortunately, we have 24-hour plumbers available for both emergencies and regular repair calls, so you don’t have to worry.

Preventative plumbing can save you a lot of time and money, so it’s in your best interest to get ahead of the game before winter hits. It’s a tough season for a few aspects of plumbing and, let’s just say that affordable plumbing and emergency plumbing are not synonymous. You’ll want to avoid these common plumbing problems that come with the winds of winter.

Check that water heater

When the outside temperature gets colder, so does your water heater. This won’t make your water heater stop working, but it will render it much less efficient, which will end up costing you more in energy bills. The room where you keep your water heater should be well-insulated to avoid this problem. You can even have the water heater itself insulated, but this is something that comes with a fire hazard risk and should be installed by a professional plumber.

Mind your pipes

The main leak repairs we see every winter are caused by frozen pipes cracking or bursting. People don’t know how easy it is to avoid frozen pipes until they’re neck deep in leak repair as soon as the temperature dips below freezing. Start by insulating your pipes, the supplies for which you can get at any home improvement store; it’s a very easy DIY preemptive strike against needing leak repairs. Beyond that, keep your home’s internal temperature above 55 degrees and be sure to monitor the weather to adjust for those abnormally freezing nights.

Call the pros

Another interesting one to note is that it’s the holiday season. With larger surges of guests, toilets and kitchen sinks get more action than they’re accustomed to. Clogged drains and leaky toilets are common holiday plumbing issues. There are always rogue problems that are difficult to predict, so when you’re having plumbing issues, be sure to call the pros before a problem evolves from a drip to a deluge.

The EPA estimates that the average household leak can account for more than 10,000 gallons of wasted water every year. You don’t want that. So, don’t let wintertime catch your household plumbing off guard.

It’s been a hot summer, we know. We’re not overly worried about burst pipes when it’s 95 degrees, but summertime comes with its own popularly needed plumbing services. We never know when exactly you’ll need an emergency plumber in the summer, but there are some popular calls we get once it heats up outside.

The best part is, most of these are avoidable by merely keeping an eye out around the house. Let’s look at what commonly goes wrong and how to prevent pestilent plumbing plights.

Outdoor sprinklers

In scorching climates like ours, it’s important to keep our vegetation watered. That lawn isn’t going to keep itself green if your sprinklers are offline for reasons unbeknownst to you. Firstly, they’re outdoors and take a beating between seasons. Inspect them before using them every summer. We stand to use 20% less water by having water-efficient fixtures installed and sprinklers can be a fiend when it comes to leaks. Not to mention, lawnmowers are notoriously unfriendly to sprinkler heads. Keep your eyes on them and they’ll be flowing smoothly when you need them most.

Garbage disposals

Disposals are excellent for disintegrating minor food waste, but they aren’t as invincible as some people think. This can cause blockages that muck up your disposal and drain. A thorough drain cleaning, along with the garbage disposal will ensure you don’t have any smelly, food-laden drain backups. When you’re putting things in the disposal, run it with water, then run water through the disposal for five to ten seconds after use. This will clear and rinse it before it goes idle again.

Sump pump issues

There’s nothing quite like a flooded basement to dampen your summer. People with flood-prone basements have to make sure their sump pumps are in working order. It’s not a problem you want to deal with as the moment strikes. No one likes pondering repairs in ankle deep water. That said, sometimes even heavy rainfall can trigger flooding and basement leakages, so having your sump pump ready for anything can wisely ward off a wet basement.

Whether it’s leak repair, burst pipes, or a casual plumbing checkup, staying on top of potential plumbing issues can save you from needing emergency services in the first place. We’re here when you need us, so give a call, but the best part of plumbing services is not needing them very often.

Look, we’re here to help you out with affordable plumbing, but we’re also here because we like the earth. Did you know that the EPA estimates Americans waste more than one trillion gallons of water every year from leaks and malfunctions they’re not aware of? Trillion.

That’s only the water we’re not aware of leaking. Sure, water leak repair is important for taking a stand against water waste, saving yourself money, and rescuing your home from potential damages. However, thanks to poor daily water habits, you probably waste water in all sorts of ways, whether you realize it or not. How can changes in your habits help you waste less water? We know a few ways.

Throw it in the garbage
Between sink disposals and toilets, a lot of people tend to think these receptacles double as garbage cans. The fact is, both of them require a good deal of water to flush, shred, and rinse something away. Try compost, recycling, and regular trash cans for leftover food. There’s no need for a gallon or two of water to be wasted in flushing a tissue or grinding up uneaten food.

Appliance wisdom
Dishwashers and washing machines are miracles of convenience. These convenient appliances also use a hefty bit of water. We’re not saying to put your dishwasher on the curb or start protesting commercial plumbing services, that would be silly. However, when you’ve only got a little bit of clothing or dishes, wait a bit. Hand wash your dishes individually rather than leaving the water running between dishes. Wash your clothing only when you have a full load, not two or three separate smaller ones.

Get those leaks in check
We know that leaks aren’t part of water waste habits, but we’re trying to establish good habits, too. Leaks are part of our most common affordable plumbing services. What we want to see more people doing is consistently monitoring their faucets, toilets, and pipes. This way they can catch leaks before waste is severe and lasting water damage occurs. Leaks are always more manageable when caught early, so make a habit of being on the prowl for them.

Banishing wasteful water habits is a conscious everyday practice, one that’s very easily forgotten. After some time and real effort to keep from wasting water, it will become natural. We know that plumbing can be messy, so when something does happen, we’ll be right here for you.

The end of summer is a good time to take care of home maintenance projects before shorter days make outdoor work too hard. Tick these fall maintenance tasks off your list this season, and you can rest easy knowing that your home is ready for the start of a new season!

Do these 6 fall maintenance tasks to prepare your home for fall!

1. Caulk Windows

Proper window sealing prevents heat from escaping and water from getting in. Caulking windows is one of the easiest, but most important, fall maintenance tasks you can do.

2. Add Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping applied around the frames of doors helps boost winter warmth and cut energy costs. You can also add door sweeps to the base of drafty doors to keep heat in and cold air out.

3. Check Your Roof

Since your roof is your first defense in protecting your home, it’s important to inspect your roof for missing or lose shingles and repair where necessary. It’s best to proactively deal with repairs at the end of summer/beginning of fall than to discover a problem in the cold of winter!

4. Reverse Ceiling Fan

Now is the time to reverse your ceiling fan! Create an upward draft that redistributes warm air by changing the direction of your ceiling fan.

5. Prepare Porch

Cover outdoor furniture and barbecue grills and store in a protected area. In addition to furniture maintenance, it’s important to have spare blankets/sheets available for covering outdoor plants.

6. Peeling Paint

Peeling paint on exterior walls is a sign that the existing paint can no longer protect the siding of the building. If you don’t repair the peeling paint, the siding will deteriorate and can lead to expensive future repairs.

Doing some minor maintenance tasks now will prepare your home for the fall season to come. If you need more help preparing your home, contact City Plumbing today to check your plumbing systems!

We hear the term “energy efficient” tossed around and we see certain products branded with an “energy efficient” stamp, but what does energy efficient actually mean? Energy efficiency means eliminating the ways your home wastes energy and getting the most use out of each unit of energy you purchase. Not only will this make your home more safe and comfortable, but it can also save you money. Find out what small changes you can make to create an energy efficient home. Don’t worry, it isn’t as hard as you may think!

Check out our tips for an energy efficient home!

Water

Install low-flow showerheads and low-flow aerators on the faucets

Buy the right size water heater to fit your needs (or consider tankless)

Turn down the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees.

Fix leaky water faucets

Laundry

Wash and dry only full loads

Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every use

In washers, use high-speed spin cycles

Choose Energy Star machines

Lighting

Turn off the lights after leaving the room

Buy Energy Star light fixtures and lamps

Keep lights clean (dust cuts light output by 25%!)

Switch to LED light bulbs

Living Room

Turn off the TV when no one is watching

Unplug chargers when not in use or when done charging

Use window coverings (closed in the summer, open in the winter)

Weather-strip windows

Heating/Cooling

Install a programmable thermostat (save up to $150 a year!)

Check and replace filters regularly

Be sure air vents aren’t blocked by furniture

Have a professional inspect your system annually

Implementing the tips above will ultimately help you create an energy efficient home! A few small changes here and there will make your home safer, more comfortable and can keep money in your pocket. Who doesn’t want that? For other tips like these, follow our boards on Pinterest!